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Kinyon Digital Library

History of Cedar
County, Iowa, 1878.

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Cavalry.

Fifth Cavalry.

The Fifth Cavalry, better known as "Curtis' Horse," was organized at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, December 20, 1861.  It was composed of various detachments and companies from the Western States.  It did very efficient service, the details of which cannot here be given, as the regiment was constantly moving, mostly by companies or battalions, scouting, foraging, pursuing or harassing the enemy; and, while not participating often as a regiment in large battles, it was constantly having smaller battles.  The principal engagements participated in were the second battle of Fort Donelson, where the Fifth Cavalry followed the retreating enemy, charged and routed them; several engagements against Wheeler's cavalry at Wartrace, Duck River Bridge, Sugar Creek and against Roddy's cavalry in several minor engagements.

The Fifth became veterans February 4, and went home to report at Davenport March 5th.    They returned to Nashville, Tennessee, and thence proceeded on a most active campaign, tearing up railroads and burning bridges in the enemy's rear, and annoying and crippling them in every possible way.  Finally, at a place called Newnan, in Georgia, they, with the Eighth Indiana, were surrounded by the consolidated cavalry forces of Wheeler, Roddy, Jackson, Hume and Ross, and compelled to cut their way out, every man for himself, in which way they reached our lines.  After this, with but a handful of men, the Fifth was assigned to Kilpatrick's command, and operated almost day and night in the vicinity of Atlanta; and, after going to Louisville, Kentucky, and getting fresh horses, they entered into another active campaign, between Nashville and Athens, having several important engagements with the enemy; and went home, at the end of the war, with a record of which every man can justly feel proud.

(Note: This regiment was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, August 11, 1865.)

Company I.

Captain Wm. G. McElsea, enlisted as sergeant Company A 5th Infantry, June 24, 1862, promoted 2d lieutenant September 20, 1862, promoted 1st lieutenant February 23, 1863, promoted captain July 10, 1863, transferred to this regiment, commissioned July 10, 1863, mustered out May 15, 1865.

First Lieutenant Jacob F. Weaver, commissioned 2d lieutenant December 29, 1864, promoted 1st lieutenant July 5, 1865, mustered out as 2d lieutenant August 11, 1865.

Commissary Sergeant Wm. H. Morrow, enlisted June 24, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864.

Sergeant Wm. Zeitler, enlisted June 24, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 5, 1861, wounded December 25, 1864.

Begole, Wm. F., enlisted September 1, 1862, re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864.

Gillette, A. H., enlisted September 1, 1862, re-enlisted as veteran January 5, 1864.

Kimmell, D. H., enlisted June 24, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864.

Murray, Jas. B., enlisted June 24, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 5, 1864.

Olinger, Samuel H., enlisted June 24, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 5, 1864.

Parsons, N. H. M., enlisted June 24, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 5, 1864.

Rogers, N. H., enlisted June 24, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 5, 1864.

Tracy, Thos. F., enlisted June 24, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 5, 1864.

Faninge, Walter, enlisted November 15, 1864.

Seventh Cavalry

(Note:  This regiment was mustered out at Sioux City, June 22, 1866.)

Company A.

Todd, Benj. F., enlisted October 31, 1862, deserted.

Company K.

Cavett, A. J., enlisted September 20, 1861.

Lewis, Jas. M., enlisted February 29, 1864.

Company L.

Second Lieutenant Hiram J. Gruwell, enlisted as private October 1, 1861, commissioned 2d lieutenant April 5, 1866, mustered out as Quartermaster Sergeant, June 22, 1866.

Corporal Alfred R. Ohls, enlisted October 5, 1861.

Corporal Isaac E. Dixon, enlisted October 1, 1861.

Wagoner Casper Cooper, enlisted October 1, 1861.

Brown, Edward B., enlisted October 21, 1861.

Funk, G. W., enlisted October 1, 1861.

Shaw, Samuel J., enlisted October 1, 1861.

Ferguson, Luther, enlisted September 26, 1861.

Russell, McCollum, enlisted October 7, 1861.

Smith, F. A., enlisted September 27, 1861.

Smith, H. W., enlisted September 27, 1861.

Swan, Avery, enlisted September 28, 1861.

Welch, W. C., enlisted September 26, 1861.

Company M.

Hoskins, A. R., enlisted May 4, 1864.

Heck, Samuel, enlisted May 4, 1864.

McSweeney, Edward.

Smith, F. A., enlisted February 28, 1864.

Eighth Cavalry.

Company K, of the Eighth Iowa Cavalry, was raised in Cedar County, by Captain John Dance, while some from the county enlisted in other companies of the regiment.  The Eighth was mustered into service September 30, 1863, and , before being fully equipped with either horses or arms, was ordered to the front to join Gen. Rosecrans at Chattanaoga.  The remainder of the animals were procured as quickly as possible, and on the morning of October 17, the Eighth left Camp Roberts for Louisville, via Michigan City and Indianapolis, where they arrived on the 21st, and went into camp near the Nashville railroad depot.  They were soon furnished with shelter tents, Colt's army pistols and about 300 Gallagher carbines.  Drill was resumed, and the first dress parade, mounted, took place on the evening of the 22d. November 4th, the regiment commenced its march to Nashville, Tennessee, where it arrived on the 17th, making its first march of 200 miles in less than two weeks.  On the 1st of December, the Eighth left Nashville on the line of the N. & N. W. Railroad.

After a general scout through that section of the country, the regiment was detailed by battalion to three different points, with headquarters at Waverly, Tennessee.

The capturing or dispersing of guerillas was the principal duty of the Eighth Iowa Cavalry, but whenever occasion offered, the regiment was not lacking in courage or coolness; and, in fact, did some excellent fighting on several occasions, among which was the engagement at Lost Mountain, Lovejoy's Station and at Newnan.  Starting from Red Clay, and including Stoneman's raid around Atlanta, the regiment was under fire every day for more than one month.  At Newnan, the mounted men that had been placed, in position by Gen. McCook, to protect the only avenue of retreat for his forces on their return from their "raid around Atlanta," were all captured, except a portion of Company K, and a few picked men from other companies, numbering seventeen in all, who made their escape under command of Captain Dance, by cutting through the enemy's line.    The Colonel of the regiment was taken prisoner, and, in his report, states that Major Root was missing from the time of the first charge, but it is stated on good authority, that he was not missing from the regiment until he and Lieutenant Morrow joined with Captain Dance to force their way out rather than submit to being detained as prisoners.  After the raid above mentioned, the dismounted men he had left at Kingtston, Georgia, were mounted, and the regiment then numbered 500, while Company K numbered fifty-four, with about forty-eight in the ranks.  The next business of the regiment was to assist in the pursuit of Wheeler, and in driving Forrest back from his invasion of Tennessee in the Fall of 1864.  They were next engaged in the front of rebel Gen. Hood, in his advance upon Nashville, to which the regiment, with other forces, fell back.

At Duck River, Tennessee, Captain Dance, with the First Battalion, consisting of Companies A, G, K and D, was directed to hold the fords, seven in number, at and near Columbia, "as long as possible," until orders came to retreat.  This battalion held the fords until after the infantry had gone and the pursuing rebels had closed in around them, when Captain Dance, finding it impossible to get orders, and, having a good knowledge of the country, undertook to pass through the enemy's lines, who were pursuing Gen. Schofield's forces.  By personating Major Williams, of Forrest's cavalry, and claiming to have been sent by Forrest to attack the "d--d Yankees," he was enabled, during the night, to pass through the midst of the enemy, traveling six miles by the side of a rebel battery and reported his command safely to Gen. Johnson, who had given him up for lost.

The regiment joined in the attack upon Hood, at Nashville, and in the pursuit of his forces out of Tennessee.  They then went into quarters at Waterloo, Alabama, until the 15th of March, when they joined the Wilson raid through Alabama, and were mustered out at Macon, Georgia.

(Note:  This regiment was mustered out at Macon, Georgia, August 13, 1865.    Officers not otherwise accounted for were mustered out as with regiment.)

Major John Dance, commissioned captain Company K, September 30, 1863, commissioned major August 22, 1865, mustered out as captain before promotion.

Company C.

Shurley, F. M., enlisted August 15, 1863.

Company K.

First Lieutenant Jno. S. Robertson, enlisted as 1st sergeant July 11, 1863, captured at Newnan, Georgia, July 30, 1864, commissioned 1st lieutenant June 16, 1865.

Second Lieutenant Smith H. Beeson, commissioned September 30, 1863, resigned March 22, 1864.

Second Lieutenant Jacob T. Haight, enlisted as 1st sergeant, promoted 2d lieutenant March 23, 1864, mustered out May 15, 1865.

Second Lieutenant Ephraim L. Beesom, commissioned August 22, 1865, mustered out as regimental commissary sergeant before promotion.

Corporal Giles Vanhooser, enlisted July 31, 1863.

Corporal A. D. Coleman, enlisted August 11, 1863.

Farrier Wm. H. Ives, enlisted August 15, 1863, wounded and captured July 30, 1864, at Newnan, Georgia.

Wagoner Jacob Henning, enlisted August 11, 1863.

Callahan, C. W., enlisted August 19, 1863.

Collins, J. W., enlisted July 4, 1863.

Craighead, Jas. S., enlisted July 16, 1863.

Edmiston, E. C., enlisted August 24, 1863.

Frisbie, David C., enlisted August 5, 1863.

Gillilan, Delaney, enlisted August 25, 1863.

Grewell, Daniel T., enlisted August 11, 1863.

Harris, Hiram, enlisted August 8, 1863.

Hawley, I. G., enlisted August 23, 1863.

Johnson, Jos. S., enlisted August 11, 1863, wounded July 29, 1864, at Lovejoy Station.

Kisenger, Philip, enlisted August 10, 1863, captured July 30, 1864, at Newnan, Georgia, died March 25, 1865, at Annapolis, Maryland.

Long, Alfred R., enlisted August 24, 1863.

Lyons, Morris, enlisted August 5, 1863.

Macy, Cyrus F., enlisted August 11, 1863, wounded and captured July 30, 1864, at Newnan, Georgia, died October 29, 1865, at Davenport.

Millett, Wm. W., enlisted August 10, 1863.

Pruitt, Thos., enlisted August 11, 1863.

Rider, David O., enlisted August 18, 1863, died October 29, 1863, at Davenport.

Rucker, Samuel, enlisted August 15, 1863.

Schooley, I. N., enlisted July 10, 1863.

Slater, Geo., enlisted August 10, 1863.

Smith, Jno. C., enlisted August 23, 1863.

Ward, Jas., Sr., enlisted July 16, 1863.

Ward, Jas., Jr., enlisted July 16, 1863.

Wright, Wm. T., enlisted August 19, 1863, captured July 30, 1864, at Florence, South Carolina.

Wright, V. H., enlisted August 6, 1863.

Young, L. D., enlisted September 1, 1863.

Ninth Cavalry.

(Note:  This regiment was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, in February, 1866.)

Company D.

Captain Jno. W. Farmer, enlisted as sergeant October 3, 1863, commissioned 1st lieutenant March 9, 1865, promoted captain January 21, 1865, commission revoked, mustered out February 28, 1866.

Farrier Basil H. Wiggins, enlisted October 1, 1863.

Freeman, Hull, enlisted October 12, 1863, discharged April 25, 1864, disability.

Company E.

Chapman, Wm. H., enlisted September 15, 1863.

Company G.

Quartermaster Sergeant Jackson D. Mitchell, enlisted September 1, 1863.

Clark, D. W., enlisted September 26, 1863.

McCroskey, C. B., enlisted October 1, 1863, died September 5, 1864, at Duvall's Bluff, Arkansas.

Snyder, Henry, enlisted October 1, 1862.

Tiller, T. J., enlisted September 25, 1863.

Van Meter, Wm. L., October 1, 1863.

Miscellaneous Cavalry.

First Cavalry.

Blood, Albion, enlisted October 13, 1864, discharged September 1, 1865, disability.

Dwigans, R. C., enlisted October 5, 1864, mustered out February 15, 1866.

Dwigans, Joseph, enlisted October 5, 1864, mustered out February 15, 1866.

Wingrove, --------, enlisted October 13, 1864, mustered out February 15, 1866.

Bray, Wm. H., enlisted September 12, 1862, mustered out February 15, 1866.

Willford, Jonathan, enlisted January 5, 1864, mustered out February 15, 1866.

Cunningham, W. H. H., enlisted July 18, 1861, discharged March 24, 1863, disability.

Potter, Henry C., enlisted January 1, 1864, mustered out February 15, 1866.

Ford, Jonathan, enlisted October 5, 1864, mustered out February 15, 1866.

Gillett, Edw. P., enlisted March 30, 1864, mustered out February 15, 1866.

Second Cavalry.

McDonald, David, enlisted July 30, 1861, discharged December 18, 1862, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Smith, R. B., enlisted September 17, 1862, re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864, promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Chase, Edw., enlisted February 13, 1864, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Leech, Lewis, enlisted February 13, 1864, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Sergeant Seth Hartzell, enlisted September 1, 1861, mustered out September 19,1865.

Corporal John B. Kelly, enlisted September 1, 1861, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Hilburt, J. J., enlisted August 14, 1861, died at St. Louis, January 12, 1862.

Scales, Jas., enlisted August 14, 1861, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Safley, J. W., enlisted March 1, 1864, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Simmons, Wm. H., enlisted March 31, 1864, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Ferguson, Daniel B., enlisted August 16, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran March 1, 1864, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Schroeder, August, enlisted August 24, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran March 1, 1864, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Quartermaster Sergeant Eugene Rigby, enlisted August 30, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran March 1, 1864, discharged June 25, 1865.

Sergeant George Heppenstall, enlisted September 21, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran March 1, 1864, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Corporal I. M. Smith, enlisted September 3, 1861, died at Farmington, July 15, 1862.

Saddler James Walters, enlisted August 30, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran March 1, 1864.

Embree, B. J., enlisted August 30, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran March 1, 1864, captured at Palo Alto, Mississippi, April 21, 1863, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Gould, F. T., enlisted August 30, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran March 1, 1864, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Morfeitt, Wm., enlisted 30, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran March 1, 1864.

Crammer, Wm., enlisted August 30, 1861, mustered out September 19, 1865.

James, Hiram, enlisted August 30, 1861, discharged September 16, 1862, disability.

Varner, Harvey, enlisted August 30, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Hammond, Josiah W., enlisted February, 1865, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Leech, Chas., enlisted February, 1865, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Crozer, Chas., enlisted February, 1865, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Corporal M. L. Simmons, enlisted September, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Sergeant Morrean Carroll, enlisted August, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Davidson, Jas. W., enlisted September, 1861, prisoner of war, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Mann, Jas., enlisted September, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran, wounded December 17, 1864.

Finley, John, enlisted December, 1861, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Wade, John F., enlisted September, 1861, discharged March 6, 1863.

Montgomery, John, enlisted September, 1865, wounded, discharged.

Gill, Davis H., enlisted December, 1863, mustered out September, 1865.

Varney, Allen, enlisted July, 1862, wounded near Prairie Station.

Corporal E. B. Chamberlain, enlisted August 14, 1861, died November 9, 1863.

Corporal Patrick O'Hara, enlisted August 21, 1861, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Gill, John B., enlisted August 14, 1861, died at Corinth, October 1, 1862.

Morgan, Richard, enlisted August 14, 1861, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Speakman, T. J., enlisted August 14, 1861, discharged September 29, 1862.

Burleston, R. G., enlisted August 12, 1864, mustered out September 19, 1865.

James, Jesse, enlisted March 23, 1864, wounded November 19, 1864, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Leech, John, enlisted March 23, 1864, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Smith, E. P., enlisted October 1, 1864, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Smith H. L., enlisted October 1, 1864, mustered out September 19, 1865.

Third Cavalry.

White, John, enlisted January 1, 1864, mustered out August 9, 1865.

Fourth Cavalry.

Morrison, Wm. S., enlisted September 14, 1861, veteran, re-enlisted December 14, 1863, mustered out August 10, 1865.

Ferguson, Hugh, enlisted October 1, 1864, mustered out August 10, 1865.

Miller, Jos. H., enlisted October 1, 1864, mustered out August 10, 1865.

Safley, Jas. F., enlisted September 28, 1864, mustered out August 10, 1865.

Safley, John H., enlisted September 28, 1864, mustered out August 18, 1865.

Sixth Cavalry.

Commissary Sergeant Wm. W. Clark, enlisted September 26, 1862, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Sweet, Wm. W., enlisted November 11, 1862, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Vericis, Antonio, enlisted November 12, 1862, discharged.

Wright, Homer, enlisted October 13, 1862, discharged.

Roberts, Wallace, enlisted February 18, 1863, mustered out October 17, 1863.

Flattas, David, enlisted November 21, 1862, mustered out October 17, 1865.

McKinley, Wm., enlisted October 7, 1862, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Quinn, John, enlisted December 19, 1862, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Scott, Thos. H., enlisted December 25, 1862, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Thompson, Francis, enlisted March 5, 1865, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Corporal E. M. Stanton, enlisted August 15, 1862, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Corporal Ewd. Hall, enlisted August 15, 1862, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Curran, Mathew, enlisted August 15, 1862, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Downing, Henry, enlisted December 18, 1862, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Fern, Thos., enlisted August 13, 1862, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Green, Patrick, enlisted August 17, 1862, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Carroll, Vincent, enlisted September 29, 1864, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Coleman, John, enlisted October 3, 1864, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Dolan, Thos., enlisted September 29, 1864, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Franks, E. H., enlisted October 3, 1864, mustered out October 17, 1865.

Lewis, Jas. W., enlisted September 28, 1864, mustered out October 17, 1865.

McLaughlin, Jas., enlisted October 3, 1864, mustered out October 17, 1865.

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